These four could replace Biden
US-President Biden missed the great opportunity to contain Trump during the TV duel and instead experienced a catastrophic evening. Can he be replaced? Possible successors are lining up for President Biden among the Democrats. Who are they?
Panic, that's the mood among US Democrats after President Joe Biden's TV duel with Challenger Donald Trump - so say party insiders unanimously. Only 32% of US voters believed before the duel that Biden was mentally and physically capable of carrying out his duties. This value may now decrease further. Discussions have begun: Can it continue? Or could Biden still be replaced four months before the election? Theoretically, it's possible. But who could do it? Three to four names are circulating. Here's an overview:
Kamala Harris
First and foremost, there's Vice President Kamala Harris. She had campaigned for the Democratic nomination in 2020 but couldn't (or wouldn't) establish herself after a strong campaign start. As Biden's representative, she initially made an unremarkable figure and was supposed to deal with the migration crisis at the southern border. The result is rather disappointing, as the Republicans are making political capital out of the crisis. However, Harris has taken on more and more responsibilities in recent months.
The 59-year-old expresses herself repeatedly on abortion rights, a key issue for many voters, especially women. Under these voters, Biden has built up his lead over Trump most recently. Harris also heads the new department against gun violence in the White House. She also intervenes in the Israeli conflict, attends high-level talks, or demands more attention for the Palestinian side. A clear signal to young progressive voters, who are very critical of Biden or have already turned away from him. In a potential duel, Harris currently stands at 43%, Trump at 46%, according to the renowned Emerson College in a survey.
Gavin Newsom
California Governor Gavin Newsom performs poorly, who is also mentioned as a Biden replacement. He only comes to 36% against Trump's 46%. California is an absolute stronghold of the Democrats. The governor has repeatedly intervened in national politics and has vigorously campaigned for Biden. "Gavin Newsom will be President, the question is only when," said a Democratic party strategist at the end of last year. "He's positioning himself."
When it seemed possible that Ron DeSantis, his colleague from Florida, could secure the Republican nomination, Newsom engaged in a political feud against him. In December, there was even a heated TV debate between the two governors. Newsom boasts of the lowest crime rate in California in 50 years and a pro-abortion rights policy. His second and last possible term as governor ends in January 2027.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is also being discussed, according to the latest survey, she only has outside chances against Trump: she comes in at 33 percent, while the Republicans have 45 percent. The 52-year-old is a popular target of attacks from the Trump camp. During Trump's tenure in the White House, militia members planned to overthrow the Michigan state government and kidnap Whitmer before the 2020 election. The FBI got wind of it and thwarted the coup. Several participants in the plot were sentenced to lengthy prison terms.
Under Whitmer's administration, the collective bargaining rights of unions in the state were completely restored. The United Auto Workers then achieved one of the highest wage agreements of the past decades, after they conducted strikes at the "Big Three" - General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis (Ex-Chrysler) - in Detroit. When the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. overturned abortion rights, Whitmer kept it in effect with a lawsuit. "Don't mess with American women; we are strong and we resist and we win," the governor said in response. Furthermore, the state began replacing the still widespread lead water pipes under her. Whitmer's second term ends in early 2027.
Another potential replacement candidate is Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. Some call him boring or too smooth, while others see him as the Democrats' ace in the hole. Shapiro has visible potential. During his 2022 campaign, when he was supported by former President Barack Obama, a fiery speech about the importance of "real freedom" went through the media. Shapiro had served the Democrats for years before he defeated the Republican Doug Mastriano. Mastriro wanted to ban abortions without exception, introduce new voting restrictions, and was supported by Trump. No wonder, as Mastriano had rented several buses that brought later insurgents to the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Pennsylvania is one of the key states in the political fight for the presidency; it went to the Democrats in 2020 only extremely narrowly. Biden comes from Pennsylvania, is not unpopular there due to his labor union ties, and would allegedly get 42 percent in a duel against Trump (41 percent) according to a regional survey. However, 65 percent of voters in the state believe Biden does not deserve re-election. Shapiro, on the other hand, would hold Trump to excellent 48 percent to 37 percent. However, his political results so far have been disappointing, and most of his campaign promises have not been implemented. The 50-year-old is the biggest newcomer among the four and has time for his next political step: He could still be in office until early 2031 if re-elected.
So far, none of these four have spoken out. But they may soon have to come up with good answers. After all, they are being asked that question now.
In the discussions about potential replacements for President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris is one of the names being mentioned. According to a survey by Emerson College, she currently stands at 43% in a potential duel against former President Trump, who has 46%.
Another possible successor is California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has expressed support for Biden but lags behind Trump in the polls, with 36% versus Trump's 46%.
